Participatory Defense

PArticipatory Defense

Participatory Defense is a community organizing model for people and their families facing criminal charges. Participatory Defense Hubs are akin to support groups where community members who have faced and are facing criminal charges and organizers trained in how to navigate the complex criminal justice system gather once a week to support one another through their cases. They are not legal clinics. No lawyers are in the room. Instead community members draw from their experience to help one another best advocate for themselves. Sometimes this support looks like showing up to one another's court appearances or helping to put together social-biography videos to help the judge see you as an individual who is valued by their family and community, not just a list of charges. The result of the Participatory Defense Hubs' work in Philly has been amazing. We've seen cases dismissed, charges dropped, acquittals, and significantly improved sentencing.

If you or a loved one are facing criminal charges, don't go it alone. There is community support available to you! For more information, watch the video below.